spec sheet6 rows
ATHX-105 was an investigational, highly selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist developed by Athersys as an oral appetite suppressant for obesity.
- Reduced food intake and body weight in animal models
- Designed for high selectivity to avoid the heart-valve risk seen with older appetite suppressants
- Completed several Phase 1 human trials with reportedly positive tolerability
Overview
Never made it past early trials; development stopped after the FDA flagged concerns during a Phase 2 hold that the company never detailed publicly.
Mechanism
ATHX-105 selectively activates the 5-HT2C receptor in the , a target known to regulate appetite and satiety. Its selectivity for 5-HT2C over the closely related 5-HT2B receptor, found on heart valve tissue, was intended to avoid the cardiac valvulopathy that ended earlier non-selective serotonergic appetite suppressants such as fenfluramine.
receptor fingerprint
5-HT2C receptorAgonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
ATHX-105 completed multiple Phase 1 trials with reportedly positive tolerability data and good selectivity against CYP450 enzymes. In September 2008 the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its planned Phase 2 program pending additional information, and Athersys discontinued the program in March 2009 rather than continue addressing the hold; the specific safety concern behind the hold was not detailed publicly.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
A dead program, and the way it died matters. Phase 1 tolerability looked fine, but the FDA put a partial hold on the Phase 2 plan, the company walked away rather than answer it, and the specific concern was never made public. Nobody ever showed it worked in people.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is ATHX-105 used for?
It was developed as an oral appetite suppressant for obesity but was never approved.
How does ATHX-105 work?
It selectively activates the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor in the brain, which helps regulate appetite and satiety.
Is ATHX-105 well-researched?
It has Phase 1 human data, but development stopped in 2009 after an FDA clinical hold, and it was never studied in a completed Phase 2 or later trial.
Limitations of the evidence
- FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its Phase 2 program in 2008
- Development discontinued in 2009 with the underlying safety concern never made public
- Never approved or marketed